As questions remain over the future of current Liverpool manager Arne Slot, with many fans feeling that the club needs a ‘clean break' from the Dutch manager, speculation has begun to mount on who will replace the former Feyenoord manager - with the firm favourite being legendary midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Credit: Liverpool Echo

The Xabi Alonso-Arne Slot dilemma

Alonso, who most recently managed Real Madrid, built his reputation at Bayer Leverkusen - going 51 matches unbeaten during the 23-24 season, winning the Bundesliga and the Pokal, and reaching the Europa League Final, losing 3-0 to Atlanta.

Even then, with Jürgen Klopp about to leave Anfield, Alonso was the firm favourite - at least amongst the fans - to replace the German. However, there were questions as to whether Alonso's preferred playing style - especially playing ‘three at the back' - was the best for a Liverpool squad that worked better in a 4-3-3. 

Indeed, the board denied ever contacting either the manager or his club and instead chose Arne Slot.  Despite Alonso's fairly disastrous time in Madrid, with disenchantment at the Bernabeu culminating with winger Vinicius Junior refusing to sign a new contract until he was sacked, the hype around him remains.

So, it was inevitable, then, that Alonso's name should be heard again around the stands and fan sites as questions remain over the future of Slot.  However, this time the Reds may have to react quickly, with Chelsea sounding out Alonso as a replacement for the recently sacked Liam Rosenior. 

The Athletic's David Ornstein said:

"Chelsea are exploring a deal for Xabi Alonso, who is at the forefront of their thoughts right now & Xabi Alonso would be open to this possibility"

Chelsea, looking for their sixth permanent manager in four years, are keen on the Spaniard; however, are also open to other alternatives, with Bournemouth's Adoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva also contenders. 

Credit: BBC

The good news is that, despite Alonso being open to working at Chelsea, formal talks have not started between the two parties - and are unlikely to do so, at least directly, until the end of the season. 

However, with the role currently vacant at the Stamford Bridge, there is no “onward chain” or financial need to pay off anyone to bring Alonso in, whereas Liverpool will undoubtedly need to pay Slot a considerable fee to end his current contract.  That said, Liverpool's board remaining tight-lipped is no indication that Slot's time at Liverpool is coming to an end - at least outwardly. 

But following the Reds 1-1 draw at the weekend, ironically with Chelsea, discontent appears to be growing amongst the fans, with the same ‘’low intensity', ‘unimaginative’ criticism are as loud as they have been at any other time this season.

The loyalists at Anfield, usually supportive of the manager, very audibly expressed their displeasure at the current state of affairs at Liverpool. It seems likely that ‘’something’ has to give, and it's likely to mean Slot leaves the club at the end of the season. 

The question is whether Liverpool are going to be proactive enough to bring in Xabi Alonso seemingly ready to return to management, or once again go looking for a ‘Plan B'.